Chasing Crockern - in search of the spirit of Dartmoor
Dartmoor's folk tales reimagined
Artwork by Sarah Furby
Who is Old Crockern? What is the true spirit of Dartmoor?
A 15 month project, working with schools, elders and communities around Dartmoor in search of the spirit of Dartmoor.
Between March 2024 and 2025, Dartmoor-based storytellers Lisa Schneidau and Sara Hurley embarked on a journey through the moor’s rich tapestry of tales.
For generations, Old Crockern - the enigmatic spirit of Dartmoor, first described by Victorian author Sabine Baring-Gould - has appeared in folklore, legend, and more recently, as a symbol of protest. But who, or what, is Crockern? And how does Dartmoor’s spirit resonate with people today?
Sara and Lisa delved into Dartmoor’s folklore, working with local communities to explore how these stories live on today. Through workshops, story walks, and conversations with schoolchildren and elders, they collected and created new tales - of three hares in Chagford, black dogs in Princetown, mer-pixies in Meavy, and a phoenix in Widecombe-in-the-Moor. They met passionate locals who hold Dartmoor’s history close, uncovering personal stories that intertwine with the myths of the land.
An exhibition curated by Monica-Shanta ran alongside the tour, exploring the question: What does the spirit of Dartmoor mean to you? Featuring photography by young Dartmoor residents, alongside video, sound clips, illustrations, and stories gathered during the project, the exhibition was open at Field System gallery in Ashburton from 10th to 15th March.
Generously supported by The National Lottery Heritage Fund and Arts Council England, using money raised by National Lottery players, this project is a collaboration between Dartmoor-based storytellers Sara Hurley and Lisa Schneidau and Devon arts charity Villages in Action.
Download the evaluation report to explore the outcomes, impact and insights for the project.
Evaluation Report
Audio Feature
Capturing stories from people around Dartmoor during the full life span of the project, this 15 minute audio feature has been recorded, edited and produced by Kerry Priest from Skylark FM, one of our brilliant project partners.
Storytelling Performances
The Chasing Crockern project concluded with the creation of a new storytelling performance that included recorded sounds and voices from Dartmoor.
On a stormy night on Dartmoor, a midwife is woken by a strange-looking man whose wife needs urgent help. Driving at breakneck speed through lanes that become increasingly unfamiliar, she arrives at a mysterious old cottage where things are not quite what they seem. As mist rolls over ancient granite, tors move and rivers speak, the midwife realises that this midnight call for help has had some unexpected consequences …
Chasing Crockern blended storytelling for adults with the sounds and voices of Dartmoor to bring the spirit of the moor alive in a new way for today’s audiences. Guided by storytellers Sara Hurley and Lisa Schneidau, audiences heard ancient creation myths and medieval legends, folktales, and everyday adventures in a show that blurs the boundaries between folklore and reality.
Whether Dartmoor feels like home or remains a mystery, this performance invited you to immerse yourself in its stories and uncover its timeless magic — revealed, reimagined, and alive.
Directed by Paula Crutchlow, Sara Hurley and Lisa Schneidau’s contemporary storytelling performance Chasing Crockern, toured Dartmoor in March 2025. Six performances took place across the moor, with stops in Princetown, Cornwood, Ashburton, Bovey Tracey, Chagford, and Okehampton.
Photographs by Little Ghost Photography
Audience Feedback
"So lyrical. It felt as if they were creating magic."
"Completely entrancing. The legends, myths, stories, and history of Dartmoor aren’t confined to one place or one thing - they are seamless, they are endless, and they will continue to be made tomorrow."
"Extraordinary. My greatest hope is that people walk around Dartmoor seeing with both eyes. The reality and the real magic."
"It’s marvellous what you’ve done. It’s not just the performance, it’s the way you’ve put the whole project together, everything that’s gone into it."
"I loved how the stories linked to places I've been to and could imagine, but also new places I haven't yet explored, but will now."
Primary School Stories
The children of four Dartmoor Primary Schools (Princetown, Widecombe-On-The-Moor, Meavy and Chagford) worked with storytellers Sara Hurley and Lisa Schneidau to make new folk stories for Dartmoor as part of the Chasing Crockern project in Spring 2024.
The Mer-Pixy - created by the Oak Class, years 5 and 6, from Meavy Church of England Primary School.
The Phoenix and the Fireball - created by years 5 and 6 of Widecombe-in-the-Moor Primary School.
The White Stone and the Black Dog - created by years 3-6 of Princetown Community Primary School.
The Drarkanory - created by the Hawthorn Class, years 3 and 4, from Chagford Primary School.
Young Photographers
Our Young Photographer commissions were a prominent feature of our in-person exhibition. Young photographers Mahni Clear, Daniel Dayment and Louis West were selected to receive creative and practical mentorship with photographer Fern Leigh Albert between June and September 2024. At the end of their mentorship they each selected 3 photographs for this exhibition.
A Forest Under the Stars - Louis West
Hi! I'm an 18-year-old photographer from Tavistock in West Devon. My work centres around storytelling and the natural world, whether that be through landscapes, wildlife, or documenting our impact on the world around us.
Much of my development as a landscape photographer has taken place through Dartmoor’s landscapes, I love trying to capture the atmosphere of a place. Many of my best images have been taken during lucky moments that quickly disappear, gaps in the clouds that last just a moment, flocks of birds flying over just at the right time, or the sun being just in the right place. The unpredictability of Dartmoor is what makes each shot truly special and unique, you're never short of something interesting to shoot, whether it's an ancient woodland, stone row, tor or animal.
‘A Forest Under the Stars’ was shot at Wistman's Wood, an example of the ancient woodland that at one point would have covered a large part of Dartmoor. This woodland has taken many shapes in its estimated over 9000 years of history, and has inspired many artists during this time. In these images you can see forests within the forest, every tree supports its own ecosystem of life, from bacteria up to plants and animals. There certainly is an air of mystery around this place, when you're there you smell, hear and see the remains of an ancient world, now long gone.”
The River Folk - Daniel Dayment
I am a British press and documentary photographer from the heart of Devon. Currently a staff photographer for SWNS, between assignments I work on long-term projects, documenting the interconnecting relationship between humanity and the landscape. Through immersion and experiences, I photograph the intertwining relationship between humanity and the landscape.
I have always sought inspiration from the moor, having completed the Ten Tors Challenge as a teenager and finding it at the centre of my photographic exploration as a student photographer. I now call Dartmoor home, regularly taking morning photo-walks and swimming in the River Dart. The diverse landscape of the moor provides a plethora of inspiration; it is a place where I find peace and sanctity in this world.
‘The River Folk’ is an emerging body of work that I began after moving to the Newbridge area in spring 2024. I decided to focus on the River Dart. A 10-minute walk from my home, it became a regular place to visit, gather thoughts, relax, and swim.
A day out at the river costs nothing, offering something we are becoming increasingly disconnected from in our consumption-driven world. The river provides entertainment, feeds the soul, and brings people closer to the natural world. The cold water of the river passing over our skin allows us to be within nature as well as to observe it. I believe that this simple notion is part of what makes being human beautiful.”
Moor Freedom - Mahni Clear
I am 19 and live on Dartmoor. My interest in photography began during lockdown when I was lent a camera and had the time to follow my creativity. I love being connected to nature and telling a story with photography.
Dartmoor National Park holds a dear place in my heart. Living and being on Dartmoor has given me an extended appreciation for this wild space. At times when the moorland is settled I feel content and confident in the barren landscapes, whilst in more turbulent conditions, I feel the sheer power of the Moor, demanding a certain respect and fear in which to revere this rugged landscape. The more time I spend on the Moor the deeper my connection and understanding of its harsh yet fragile setting becomes, and my love for Dartmoor grows.
‘Moor Freedom’ aims to express the feeling of freedom and connection experienced from the adventure of running in the natural world. Tobias Taylor, the subject, is an ultra-trail runner. He describes Dartmoor in three words- “Adventure, Green, Old”, which seems to encompass both the present possibilities, as well as it’s ancient mystical elements. Tobias says one of his favourite ways to be on the moor is on a long run; when distraction by a snack of Pennywort can lead to the opportunity of foraging and an exciting meal of freshly gathered mushrooms and wild greens.
“I don’t know if there is anywhere I’ve felt as much peace as Dartmoor” he says.”
Chasing Crockern Conversations
with the voices of people of Dartmoor
by Monica-Shanta
Through a series of community events the Chasing Crockern project hunted for stories of the moor from those who live, work or visit here today. Working with our wonderful project partner Moorland Community Caring, they met elders from communities in Bovey Tracey, Ashburton and Buckfastleigh, and listened to their stories and reminiscences about Dartmoor. They met Dartmoor communities in Okehampton, Tavistock and Princetown.
With these communities, Lisa, Sara and Kerry Priest, of Skylark FM recorded audio capturing the stories, memories and histories of the people of Dartmoor. They met many knowledgeable people who are passionate about Dartmoor’s land and culture, keen to share their stories. Chasing Crockern Conversations is a curated selection of this audio and Monica-Shanta’s own footage of the moor.
About the Artist
Monica-Shanta curated the Chasing Crockern in-person exhibition at Field System Gallery 10-15 March, and also designed the set and clothing for the ‘Chasing Crockern’ Storytelling performance. She is a multi-disciplinary visual artist who weaves together digital image and film, interactive performance, drawing and installation, through a practice that is informed by both Western and Asian cultural traditions. Monica has been based in the south-west of England for over a decade, sharing her practice as an artist through exhibitions, commissions, residencies, and in a broad range of community and educational settings. Monica exhibited with Gladys Paulus and Ingrid Pollard in ‘Ritual Touch’, curated by talkingoncorners, at MIRROR Gallery, Plymouth, in 2023. And she recently completed a National Trust commission creating an immersive shell room, ’The Room of Discovery’, for A la Ronde in Exmouth.
The Creative Team
Lisa Schneidau. Storyteller, author and environmentalist who seeks out, and shares, traditional stories about the land and our complex relationship with it. She works with creative storytelling through performance, schools, events and workshops, and runs Dartmoor Storytellers. Lisa has written four successful books: English Folk Tales of Coast and Sea, River Folk Tales of Britain and Ireland, Woodland Folk Tales of Britain and Ireland and Botanical Folk Tales of Britain and Ireland (all History Press). Lisa trained as an ecologist and has worked for twenty five years in British nature conservation, most recently with Devon Wildlife Trust.
Sara Hurley. Storyteller, socially-engaged artist and producer Originally trained in theatre and dance, she works through the lens of ‘story’ to creatively interpret traditional oral stories, personal or heritage stories for performance, workshop, film, audio or written word. For over 30 years Sara has worked on 100’s of projects at a community level to bring stories of people and place to life, encourage creativity in others and help voices be heard. Collaborations include: Literature Works, Dartmoor National Park, National Landscape Partnerships, Filament CIC, museums, care homes, schools and universities.
Paula Crutchlow. Dramaturg and director. Paula has been supporting new storytelling performance work for over twenty five years, and has worked extensively with storytelling production company Adverse Camber on the development of new ensemble work with storytellers and musicians for national and international touring.
Kerry Priest. Audio recordings & sound feature. Kerry travelled Dartmoor with Lisa & Sara recording stories of people’s connection to the moor. She works with Skylark FM, a unique radio station for Dartmoor with founder Lucinda Guy. She is an award-winning poet and interdisciplinary artist who works with text and sound design in performance and installation.
Monica-Shanta. Curator of the accompanying exhibition at ‘Field System’, scenography and clothing. Monica-Shanta is a multi-disciplinary visual artist who weaves together digital image and film, interactive performance, drawing and installation, through a practice that is informed by both Western and Asian cultural traditions.
Josh Lucas. Sound and lighting tech. Josh is a theatre maker, performer & production technician. He regularly collaborates with companies as a musician, performer & technical stage manager whilst leading his own company Running Dog Theatre CIC.
Hugh Lupton. Storyteller and author. Hugh is an award-winning storyteller and author, he is also a poet and lyricist. His work spans over 35 years and often explores our place in the landscape and the deep cultural memories we carry. He has mentored Lisa and Sara during the project about storytelling and place, and has helped to support the creative development of the show.
Jim Causley. Folk-singer, award winning songwriter and musician and advocate for Dartmoor music and culture. In recent years his work has focused on his musical settings of poems by his relative Charles Causley, penning his own songs and reviving lost gems from his home county of Devon. Jim mentored Lisa and Sara during the project about Dartmoor folk song
